Modern Family?

     I just read an article released by the associated press that has left me scratching my head. The article spoke about the disgust that anti-profanity crusader McKay Hatch experienced once learning that tonight’s episode of Modern Family would have a 2 year old dropping a cuss word on national television. McKay is an 18 year old college student who founded the No Cussing Club in 2007. McKay has complained to ABC and even asked that they not air this particular episode. McKay even went as far as asking his 35,000 members of the No Cussing Club to also complain to ABC. So far, ABC has had no comment.

     Now I am not surprised that ABC has had no comment. They are a huge part the moral decay in our culture, so why should they care. They want to cross the line. After all, isn’t that what brings ratings today? What does surprise me is that the show “Modern Family” promotes the acceptance of same-sex relationships and attacks the “Model Family,” which is God’s design (Genesis 2:4-24), and people are confronting cussing. Yes, cussing is a problem, but homosexuality and the same-sex relationship agenda is winning the culture. It is an attack on the way God designed the family! Where are the people, namely Christians, confronting this issue? What if millions of Christians took a stance against the ABC’s of the world and said “This is not okay?” I am here to tell you, we would not be in the moral dilemma we face today!

We don’t have the right to redesign the family! According to God, the modern family is still the model family!

Bottom line: Stand up for what is right, Jesus did! 

Greg Edens

Till death do us part?

     The words “till death do us part” are used commonly in marriage ceremony after marriage ceremony. In today’s culture, it has become clear that many people do not mean what they say. They are just empty words.

     I grew up in a broken home. Dad was not around to watch us grow and to teach us how to be men. He was not there to teach me how to be a good husband and father. Mom had left my dad when he was serving in the Navy. She broke the marriage covenant. She did not mean what she said.

     This is something I see in families every day. People are so willing to walk away. They did not mean what they said either. Innocent people are hurt over our selfishness and unwillingness to be committed. Kids are caught in the middle and deal with a lifetime of insecurity and inconsistency.

     Ten years ago tomorrow, I married my bride Amey. I said that I was committed to her and to our family “till death do us part.” This is not only a commitment to her and the kids, but more importantly, it is a commitment to God whom I serve. I meant what I said “till death do us part.” I am celebrating 10 years of commitment and I can’t wait for the next ten!

Greg Edens

When is enough enough?

     I was asked recently, “when is enough enough?” In context, the question was basically “when do we stop helping someone in need, especially when they have bad habits that could add to the problem?” The answer is simple if we are willing to look at Scripture on the issue. In this case, we cannot do too much to love people to Christ!

     In Acts chapter 2:42-47 Luke writes, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

     I agree that every situation is different so we need to pray about being good stewards of God’s resources, but I do not see God putting a limit on how much we , the Church, should help. Some people who are coming to Christ have so much baggage that they need help unpacking. The Apostle Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

     No matter where you land on this topic, there is a level of compassion and patience that, as believers, we are expected to extend to people who are searching out their faith. I think we would all agree that Christ has handled us patiently and compassionately. Never did he say to us enough is enough! Instead, when we were in the worst possible condition, Jesus sacrificed everything, giving his very life for us (Romans 5:8).

 

So when is enough really enough?

                                                                                                      

Greg Edens

Read and Remember!

     We are more than half way through this year of “surrender” at the Valley. At the beginning of the year we made our own commitments to pray, read, sacrifice, serve, and belong. Many of us made the commitment to read through the entire Bible this year. How is that commitment going for you? Have you continued in the commitment you made to the Lord? I hope so.

     I am sticking to my commitment to not only read through the Bible this year, but I have also memorized more Scripture this year than ever before. In fact, I have memorized Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 53:1-12, Philippians 4:8-9 and now I have memorized Philippians 2:1-11. This is a text that we are supposed to be memorizing together. Have you memorized Philippians 2:1-11? If not, why not?

     Memorizing Scripture serves several purposes. First, it allows us to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Second, while we are praying we can pray Scripture. Third, it is much easier to call Scripture to mind when talking with someone who could benefit from it. I cannot tell you how many times God has used specific Scriptures I have memorized to speak into someone’s life. Finally, it gives us a hunger to know more of God’s word.

     If you have not memorized Philippians 2:1-11 yet, I challenge you read it, meditate on it, memorize it, pray it, and share it with someone else. You will be blessed.

Be biblical. Be faithful,

Greg Edens

PUT IT ON!

Hello friends,

     This past Sunday we talked about putting on the full armor of God which Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:10-18. In fact, Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God” twice in just a few verses (11, 13). When it’s repeated it’s important. Paul wants to get our attention as soldiers of Christ in order that we be prepared for spiritual battle.

     The phrase “put on the full armor of God” in the original Greek language is written in a way that means to put it on immediately and leave it on permanently. How do we put on the full armor of God? We pray it on!

     We need to tell God that we want to put on the “belt of truth.” Much like the belt holds our clothing together, God’s truth holds together our faith and trust in Him. The “breastplate of righteous-ness” protects our heart from being misled by the “devils schemes,” just as it protects the vital organs of a soldier in combat. “Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Roman soldiers wore shoes to protect their feet especially when running. The “gospel of peace will protect us as we are pre-pared to take the gospel to others. We need to “run” with the gospel because the message is urgent and lifesaving. We also need to “take up the shield of faith” to protect us from Satan’s attacks and he will attack! Finally, we need to “take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The soldier’s helmet protected his head and his sword was the primary weapon for battle. Likewise, we need to “put on the helmet” to protect our minds from the evil one and we need to fight with our primary weapon, the Word of God.

Are you ready for battle?  

Be biblical. Stay faithful,

Greg Edens

So What?

     Hello church. We just finished our sermon series Walk The Line which challenged all of us to be more surrendered to Jesus in the pivotal areas of life. We said that we want to “walk the line” of moral decency according to the Word of God with our values, our minds, our bodies, our relationships, our attitudes and our speech.

     Now I have to ask the question, So What? What I mean is, so what impact has it had on you? I am asking all of you to post a testimony or story, on the blog page, telling how God has changed you in this series. Are there some things you are doing differently? Did the Holy Spirit convict you in a certain area or situation that brought you to an attitude of repentance? Please give me your response.

     I shared a few stories about me and how God challenged my thinking and behavior during the series. God convicted me of some of the television programming I watched. The things we allow in our minds affect our behaviors. God also convicted me of the way I respond sometimes in conversations. It raised the question, “How do I respond to Amey and the kids when I am busy or frustrated?” I need to be aware. Remember we need to think biblically so that we live biblically. I look forward to hearing from you.

Be biblical. Stay faithful.

Greg Edens

God is moving in this place!

What an incredible Easter celebration we had at the Valley. Nearly 90 people attended the two services and Jesus was exalted at the Valley. That’s not all! Dessalena Graw and Antonia Pope both made a decision to be baptized this Sunday, April 30^th right after the service. What a powerful morning at the Valley. God is moving in this place!

 

Be biblical. Stay faithful,

 

Greg Edens